Del. Bill Ridenour

Maddy summaryHB 2428 requires a court hearing with the respondent present and represented by counsel before a protective order can prohibit firearm possession in domestic violence cases. It mandates that such prohibitions only apply when there is clear and convincing evidence of an immediate danger to the petitioner, based on documented threats or sworn testimony, not as punishment. The bill also requires automatic appeals for respondents within 10 days if a firearm ban is included in the order. This directly affects individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders who might face firearm restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2462 designates April 19th as Patriots Day in West Virginia public schools, requiring all schools to commemorate this date annually. The bill mandates that on the closest Friday to April 19th (excluding Spring Break), students must study the battles of Lexington and Concord and read first-person accounts of these events to honor the Minute Men who fought for American independence. This legislation directly affects all West Virginia public school students and educators by adding specific historical curriculum requirements to the school calendar.

Maddy summaryHB 2506 amends West Virginia law to expand vehicle registration fee exemptions for veterans. It lowers the required service-connected disability percentage from 100% to 50% or greater for veterans to qualify, and adds recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross to the list of eligible veterans. The bill directly affects veterans with qualifying disabilities or military honors who own non-commercial vehicles. Key provisions include modifying existing exemption criteria (§17A-10-8(5)) and adding new eligibility under subsection (7) for specific medal recipients. This change would allow more veterans to avoid paying annual vehicle registration fees.

Maddy summaryHB 2432 expands which federal law enforcement officers can enforce West Virginia state laws by adding 19 specific federal agency roles to the existing list. It allows officers from agencies like the FBI, DEA, Border Patrol, Coast Guard, and federal prisons to assist state/local agencies under three conditions: when requested in writing (or verbally in emergencies), when a local officer requests help during exigent circumstances, or when witnessing a felony. The bill clarifies these officers have the same legal authority and immunities as state officers but cannot conduct independent investigations beyond preserving immediate evidence. It directly affects state/local law enforcement agencies seeking federal assistance and the 19 federal agencies listed in subsection (b). The bill does not change existing law enforcement procedures but broadens eligibility for federal officers to collaborate with state agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 2466 prohibits physicians in West Virginia from prescribing puberty-blocking medications (referred to as "pubertal modulating and hormonal therapy") to minors under 18 for the purpose of gender transition. The bill directly affects transgender and gender-diverse minors seeking medical care for gender dysphoria, banning a common treatment option. Exceptions allow such therapy only in very specific medical circumstances: for diagnosed disorders of sex development, to treat complications from prior gender transition procedures, or for severe gender dysphoria with strict requirements (e.g., two specialized medical opinions, written consent, and dosage limits). The bill does not ban all hormone therapy but restricts puberty blockers specifically for gender transition in minors, with narrow medical exceptions.

Maddy summaryHB 2450, titled "The West Virginia Second Amendment Preservation and Anti-Federal Commandeering Act," prohibits state agencies and employees from being compelled by the federal government to enforce federal firearms laws. It makes it a misdemeanor for federal agents or employees to attempt enforcing any federal decree or writ related to firearms without specific congressional approval, punishable by up to $500 fines or one year in jail. The bill directs the West Virginia Attorney General to enforce these provisions. It does not change state gun laws but targets federal overreach in enforcement mechanisms. The bill was introduced in the West Virginia House on February 17, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2489 requires West Virginia election officials to make all public election data - including cast vote records (CVRs), audit logs, and election management system files - publicly available under the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This applies to all registered voters who can request the data without needing to reference FOIA specifically. The bill mandates random physical and code inspections of electronic voting systems, restricts certain voting software, and establishes new requirements for maintaining election records. It directly affects voters seeking transparency and election officials managing election data. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee after being introduced on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 48 is a concurrent resolution from the West Virginia Legislature urging Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It specifically requests a convention limited to proposing amendments focused on federal fiscal responsibility, citing rising national debt ($36 trillion) and inflation concerns. The resolution directs West Virginia to seek federal court action if Congress fails to comply and invites other states to convene a state-level meeting by July 2026 to draft fiscal amendments for state ballot consideration. As a procedural resolution - not a law - it does not change policy but formally requests action from Congress.

Maddy summaryHB 2465 prohibits counties, towns, and municipalities in West Virginia from using tax money to hire lobbyists who represent them at the state level. The bill amends three sections of state law (§7-28-1, §7A-9-1, and §8-40-1) to explicitly ban local governments from paying for such lobbying services with public funds. It directly affects all county commissions, consolidated local governments, and municipal corporations (including cities, towns, and villages) that rely on taxpayer revenue. The policy change is a clear restriction on the use of public funds, requiring local entities to cover lobbying costs through non-tax sources if they choose to hire lobbyists.

Maddy summaryHB 2472 would remove the existing ban on using bait to attract game animals across all West Virginia counties. The bill amends state wildlife law (§20-2-5 and §20-2-22a) to eliminate the prohibition on baiting for species like turkeys, pheasants, quail, and ruffed grouse. This change would directly affect hunters who currently cannot use bait to attract these animals, allowing baiting statewide where it was previously restricted. The bill is newly introduced (February 17, 2025) and referred to the House Government Organization Committee.